Samsung Digimax U-CA 3 Review

The U-CA3 features a 3x (38-114mm equivalent) all-glass optical zoom with a maximum aperture of F2.8-4.8. It has a 1.0X - 3.0X digital zoom option.

The auto focus system covers 80cm to infinity in normal focus mode, from 30 to 80cm in Macro mode and from 5 to 80cm (wide) / 50 to 80cm (tele) in Super Macro mode. As you can see from the animation above, the lens retracts fully inside of the camera when powered down and is protected by a built in lens cover. On power up it only takes about two seconds to extend the lens.

To aid in focusing in dim lighting, the U-CA3 has a focus-assist illuminator. Shown here lighting up the wiring underneath of my desk with the room lights turned off.   And yes, I really was working at 1:29am in the morning!

The optical viewfinder is small and has a narrow viewing angle, it shows approximately 85% of the captured image. There is no diopter adjustment. The LED indicates flash charging, focus lock and writing to card.

The built-in flash has modes for auto, auto+red-eye, fill, slow sync and off. The working range is approx. 0.2 to 3.0m (W), 0.5 to 2.0m (T).

Located on the top is the power on/off button, Mode switch (Movie / Voice / Still) and the shutter release.

All settings are changed via menus on the 1.5-inch color LCD, it automatically adjusts its backlight depending on the amount of ambient lighting.

Controls: Upper right are the zoom control buttons, they serve as Index and Magnify in playback mode. The 4-way controller is large and easy to operate for navigating menu screens and selecting images during playback. Press the center button to call up and dismiss the menu or to accept a selection. In record or playback you press "Up" to attach an audio memo for an image. Press Right for self-timer, press Left for flash mode and press Down to enable Macro focus or to play/pause an audio recording or movie in playback. To the left of the 4-way is the Playback button, it can be pressed when the camera is powered off to start it up in Playback mode or to switch to playback from record mode. Below that is the Monitor button to turn the color LCD on/off, it also controls the amount of information displayed on the LCD. The "+/-" button calls up an onscreen overlay (see next page) to adjust exposure compensation, white balance and ISO speed. In playback it is the Delete image button.

The U-CA3 supports any size Memory Stick Duo or Memory Stick Duo PRO memory cards. Samsung includes a 32MB MS Duo card.

On the back are the I/O ports: A combination USB 1.1 port for data downloads and an A-V out port for connection to a TV set (video is NTSC or PAL selectable.) And a 3.3V DC IN jack for optional AC power supply or external Samsung Li-ion battery pack.

The U-CA3 can be powered by one of the new Duracell CP1 Prismatic one-use photo lithium batteries (supplied) or by an optional Samsung NP-60 3.7V 1000mA rechargeable Li-ion pack (up to 200 shots).